BOX SCORE
DETROIT—The No. 1 Bellarmine University men’s basketball team survived a scare from Wayne State University tonight, overcoming a 19-point first half deficit to post a 92-80 victory in an NCAA Division II non-conference contest at Matthaei Gymnasium.
From the opening tip, the Warriors came out on fire and opened up a 19-point lead on the Knights over the game’s first 12:08 as Wayne State connected on their first nine 3-point attempts and finished 10-11 from long range in the first half.
Bellarmine, showing the resiliency that earned them the national championship a year ago, dug in and trimmed the lead to just eight at the half as freshman Ryan Burton came off the bench and nailed two crucial 3-pointers.
“We played with phenomenal poise tonight,” said Bellarmine Coach Scott Davenport.
Sophomore Keisten Jones, who scored a career high 17 in tonight’s game agreed. “In the first half, they came out hitting every three after three after three,” Jones said. "The poise about our team was that we knew what we had to do, and we got the job done. Coach told us in the huddle, ‘Let's cut it to eight at the half, get the ball back, and come out and play Bellarmine basketball.’"
After the break, Bellarmine rolled past Wayne State, outscoring the home squad 23-12 over the first 7:38 of the second period to take their first lead of the game.
“Our ability to defend as a unit was the difference in the game,” Davenport said. “"Our defense led to offense, where we attacked on the run and did a great job passing the ball."
The Knights got outstanding efforts from a host of players, led by Braydon Hobbs with 20 points, five assists and 3 steals, and Jones, whose 17 points came on five of six shooting and a perfect four of four from the line.
After early foul trouble limited Chris Dowe to just six minutes of playing time in the first half, the junior out of Eastern High School came back to finish with 13 points and a game high eight rebounds.
Luke Sprague pitched in 15 points for the Knights and contributed four assists, and reigning GLVC Player of the Week Jeremy Kendle added 13 points.
Wayne State, last year’s Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champions, were led by Mike Hollingsworth, who tied a career high of 28.
Both teams shot extremely well with the Knights fighting off a cold start to finish hitting 57.4 sports, including going 17 of 27 in the second period. The Warriors, after opening so hot, finished at 57.7 percent shooting.
Bellarmine now travels to Allendale, Mich., for a Saturday afternoon contest with Grand Valley State University. Tip is scheduled for 3 p.m.